School Travel

An incredible 40% of peak hour traffic in Auckland is education–related. In the past 20 years the percentage of children being driven to school has more than doubled. Car trips to school add to traffic congestion, parking hassles, increased travel times, air pollution, and the risk of traffic crashes.

Did you know:

• When travelling by car children miss valuable opportunities to get to know their local community.
• Nearly one third of New Zealand children get very little or no daily exercise, in part because they do not walk or ride to school.
• Children travelling in a car inhale at least 3 times more air pollution as children walking along the same street.
• Short trips (up to 3km) such as the school run use more fuel and emit more harmful chemicals per kilometre than longer journeys.
• Auckland air quality is deteriorating and 80% of the pollution is from vehicles. This dirty air can affect our health.

Many local schools are developing their own TravelWise school travel plans.

What can we all do to make changes?
There are many safe and reliable ways of getting to and from school without a car.

What schools can do:

• Consider developing a Travelwise School Travel Plan in partnership with your school community, North Shore City Council and Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA).
• Primary schools can work with parents to start a Walking School Bus.
• Make it easy for your students to walk, cycle and travel by bus.
• Include road safety education in your school programme. Provide road safety information and safety travel information to your students and parents.
• Encourage intermediate and secondary students to get back on bikes. Organise cycle training, skills and maintenance workshops.
• Invest in lockers and secure bike storage.
• Get involved in national promotions including Feet First www.feetfirst.govt.nz , Bikewise week www.bikewise.co.nz, and International Walk To School Month.
• Check out other schools’ walking, cycling and sustainable transport ideas on the TravelWise website www.travelwise.org.nz
• Organise inter-class walking and sustainable transport challenges.
• Educate students on the effects of vehicles emission on our environment.
• Encourage staff and teachers to be role models promoting safe active and sustainable transport. This may include leaving their car at home just one day a week and walking, cycling, share a ride or public transport instead.

What parents and caregivers can do:

• Primary school parents can start a walking school bus from their area or become a volunteer on an existing walking school bus. One day’s commitment can mean four free days when the bus is being supervised by other parents.
• Walk and cycle with your children often to develop road safety skills. Check out the 'helping hands guide' (PDF 377KB) for tips on teaching your child road safety.
• If you have to drive, park further from the school gate and walk a short distance to meet your children. It’s great exercise - for your kids and for you. It also improves safety for all children by reducing the number of cars congregating outside the school gate.

Who to contact at council